Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
The NHS has introduced a groundbreaking database that links specific genes to cancer, offering patients and their relatives across England the opportunity to assess their potential risk of developing the disease. This innovative resource compares individuals’ genetic information to a unique global register containing 120 genes associated with an increased likelihood of cancer, according to NHS England. Those identified as having inherited risks will be given regular screenings and check-ups, particularly for cancers such as breast and prostate. Furthermore, patients may undergo tests to determine which treatments could be most effective for them, allowing for tailored medical care.
Each year, tens of thousands of patients with cancer or a family history of the illness undergo genetic testing through the NHS. Those found to have a higher risk based on their genetic profile will be added to this comprehensive register. They will receive customized advice on how to reduce their cancer risk or detect the condition at an early stage. The NHS has explained that this initiative is part of a broader 10-year strategy aimed at enhancing cancer prevention and treatment outcomes. Professor Peter Johnson, national cancer director for NHS England, described the register on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme as the first of its kind, consolidating all genetic risk information into a single, accessible resource.
Professor Johnson emphasized that the register integrates various existing tests for identifying cancer susceptibility, enabling healthcare providers to maintain contact with at-risk individuals and offer screenings or preventive treatments when appropriate. He also highlighted the register’s strict confidentiality and security standards. While acknowledging that learning about one’s genetic cancer risk may be intimidating, Johnson stated that this approach enables earlier identification of the disease, potentially saving lives. The NHS National Inherited Cancer Predisposition Register follows the example set by a similar database for Lynch syndrome, which has already enabled over 12,000 people to receive routine preventative screening after being deemed at elevated risk. One such patient, Charlie Grinstead, diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2020, credited his Lynch syndrome diagnosis for granting him access to immunotherapy after chemotherapy had failed, calling it “the key to my recovery.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the significance of the register by noting that one in two people will develop cancer during their lifetime, but the likelihood is often influenced by inherited genetic factors. He stated, “while we cannot do anything about inherited genes, we can do something about what we do with that information.” Streeting described the genetic register as world-leading, enabling earlier, personalized, and preventative care. He expressed hope that it would not only drive innovation but also allow for faster screenings and more tailored patient information, increasing the chances of catching cancers at an earlier, more treatable stage. Additionally, Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, praised the initiative, explaining it will transform the lives of women at heightened risk for breast cancer due to their genetics or family history. Rowney stressed the importance of making the register accessible to all clinicians to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care for those with elevated risk profiles
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.